From meme to mob: how digital hate travels across borders, affects people in Europe

BRUSSELS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2026) At the Press Club Brussels Europe, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives gathered for a panel discussion titled “From Meme to Mob: How Digital Hate Travels Across Borders and Affects People in Europe".

The event focused on the growing challenges of online hate speech, disinformation, digital harassment, and platform accountability under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

The seminar was organised by Diaspora in Action for Human Rights and Democracy (DAHRD), formerly known as The London Story. DAHRD is an independent non-profit think tank and civil society organisation led by members of the Indian diaspora. Based in Europe, with activities linked to The Hague and Brussels, the organisation works to connect international policy discussions with human rights developments in India.

The panel featured Lynn Boylan, former Member of the European Parliament; Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie of the University of Groningen; and Thomas Hughes, CEO of Appeal Centre Europe. The discussion was moderated by Ulviyya Hasanova, Senior Advocacy Officer (Brussels) at DAHRD.

Hasanova, who leads advocacy, communication, and human rights research initiatives at DAHRD, opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of monitoring human rights challenges involving both state and non-state actors, building strategic partnerships, and supporting campaigns across international platforms, including European Union and United Nations institutions.

The seminar explored concerns around online hate targeting minorities, including anti-Muslim narratives and content linked by researchers to Hindutva-aligned digital networks. Speakers examined how hate speech, misinformation, and coordinated campaigns can travel across borders and affect diaspora communities, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders.

Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie discussed how ideological narratives can move from political movements into online spaces. She examined the historical development of Hindutva as a political ideology and discussed organisations often described by researchers as part of the Sangh Parivar network, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

She argued that some Hindutva-aligned narratives have contributed to the marginalisation of minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, and raised concerns about online hate, digital mobilisation, and organised harassment campaigns. She also discussed debates around caste and gender, noting criticism that certain interpretations of Hindu nationalism may reinforce social hierarchies affecting Dalits and women.

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Thomas Hughes, CEO of Appeal Centre Europe, introduced the organisation’s role in addressing disputes related to online content moderation. He explained how the EU Digital Services Act creates mechanisms for users, civil society organisations, and other actors to challenge platform decisions involving harmful content or moderation disputes.

Hughes stressed the need for independent appeal systems that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in how major technology platforms handle online harm. He also shared examples involving civil society organisations that have used such mechanisms to address digital challenges.

The panel also addressed broader concerns about racism, Islamophobia, anti-immigrant narratives, and the spread of hate speech through digital platforms.

Lynn Boylan highlighted the need to protect vulnerable communities online and referred to the work of 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, a non-profit organisation advocating for Palestinian digital rights.

She explained that 7amleh works to promote a safer and more equitable digital environment through research, documentation, advocacy, and digital security training for Palestinian activists and civil society organisations. The organisation also conducts campaigns addressing online discrimination and defending digital freedoms.

During the Q&A session, participants discussed wider challenges affecting democratic values, minority rights, and freedom of expression in the digital era.

Questions were raised about concerns related to India’s democracy, the situation of minorities, and allegations of online harassment and digital suppression faced by journalists, researchers, and human rights advocates documenting issues in Indian-administered Kashmir, a region widely recognised as one of the world’s most militarised areas.

The discussion also addressed cases where individuals highlighting human rights issues have faced coordinated online attacks, intimidation, or attempts to silence their voices.

Panelists emphasised that protecting civil society participation requires stronger platform accountability, transparent moderation systems, and effective implementation of frameworks such as the EU Digital Services Act, while ensuring that measures against online harm do not undermine freedom of expression.

The event concluded by underlining that digital hate, racism, Islamophobia, and online discrimination are increasingly international challenges requiring cooperation between governments, civil society organisations, researchers, and technology companies.